The Los Angeles Galaxy will apparently keep defender James Riley, who spent some reasonably good years with New England and later with Seattle but has become something of a journeyman. He has been on trial with the Galaxy.

Two things make this one interesting:

First, Riley doesn’t need to be a starter at L.A., not with longtime left back Todd Dunivant and able deputy Greg Cochrane filling one side of the back line, and with A.J. DeLaGarza handling chores along the right so well.

Riley can provide quality depth on either side during a busy campaign of Champions League (starting in less than two weeks), U.S. Open Cup, eight-plus months of league play and whatever money-making summer friendlies the ambitious organization cooks up.

Also, this: Arena has done OK with these guys, veterans approaching the career sell-by date, but still with something to offer in terms of depth, cap value, leadership and locker room accord. Riley (who played at D.C. United last year) has generally been well-liked by fans and teammates, so there’s little downside that way.

Partial list of some known names who finished up similarly under Arena with the Galaxy: Jovan Kirovski, Chris Klein, Frankie Hejduk and Eddie Lewis.